JAIPUR: Opener Gagan Khoda's brilliant century and a flamboyant knock by Pankaj Singh kept Rajasthan in the race for the vital first innings lead.

The host finished at 347 for eight in reply to Hyderabad's 385 at close on the third day of the four-day Ranji Trophy Super League Group `B' match at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium here on Sunday.

Hyderabad bowlers frittered away the advantage after Rajasthan was reeling at 213 for seven. Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha, who bagged his second consecutive five-wicket haul, lacked support from the other left-arm spinner Indrasekhar Reddy, whose inclusion raised eyebrows as he required constant medication.

Exquisite drives

Khoda (107, 225 balls), who scored his 12th Ranji Trophy, played some exquisite drives on either side of the wicket.

Just when he looked set to guide his team to the first innings lead, he was bowled by an express delivery from Kaushik Reddy. Khoda's innings includes 15 hits to the fence and a six.

Pankaj Singh, who swung Ojha and Reddy for huge sixes, was never in trouble. Even Ojha too struggled to check Pankaj, who used the long handle to telling effect.

Ojha strikes

Earlier, Ojha struck significant blows. First, he sent back Nikhil Doru who was out to a brilliant diving effort by A.T. Rayudu; the fielder ran from slip to short gully and latched on to a sharp chance. Then Ajay Jadeja, who looked dejected at the decision, was declared out caught behind.

In the post-tea session, Ojha removed Pankaj Singh to a bat-pad catch. But then it was the turn of Kabir Ali who batted with a runner, and Mohd. Aslam to frustrate the bowlers till close of play.

The scores:

Hyderabad — 1st innings: 385.

Rajasthan — 1st innings: D.H. Yagnik lbw b N.P. Singh 7, G.K. Khoda b Kaushik 107, Nikhil Doru c Rayudu b Ojha 40, R. Bishnoi c Arjun bt Ojha 7, V. Solanki b Kaushik 0, R. Kanwat c Khaleel b Ojha 15, A. Jadeja c Khaleel b Ojha 15, Pankaj Singh c Ravi b Ojha 74, Kabir Ali (batting) 46, Mohd. Aslam (batting) 23. Extras (b-1, lb-5, nb-7) 13. Total (for eight wkts. in 138 overs) 347.

Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-115, 3-130, 4-131, 5-163, 6-195, 7-213, 8-311.

Hyderabad bowling: N.P. Singh 17-5-55-1, Kaushik 22-4-72-2, Ojha 56-19-113-5, Reddy 37-8-86-0, Ravi 5-2-11-0, Suman 1-0-4-0.

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